KEIGHLEY shoe repairer Bertie Thurling owed his career to his service in the First World War.

He learned his trade while serving at an Austrian prisoner of war camp in the months after the war ended.

Bertie, who had worked in the textile trade before enlisting, was put in charge of kit at the camp in Italy.

Following his demob he set up shop in Keighley repairing boots and shoes, and continued the business until he retired at the age of 65 in 1967.

Bertie was born in Keighley in 1898 and by the age of 18 he was a spinning and drawing overlooker with a local firm.

Called up in 1916, he was posted to France the following January and during the year was promoted to Lance Corporal.

Bertie saw active service in France, Belgium, Italy, getting involved in heavy fighting at Ypres including the prolonged battle for Hill 60.

During his service he was gassed, buried by a shell blast and suffered trench foot. But he survived the war, rising to the role of Company Quarter Master Sergeant.

In 1922 Bertie married Florence Wade, but both she and their son Harry died in 1924. Two years later he married Florence Shaw and lived until the age of 80.